KIRKFIELD, ON - Heather Bird knows all about initiative, even at the tender age of 11.

The Kirkfield youngster came up with her own idea to help the fundraising effort to purchase a new defibrillator for Station 15. Her parents, Mike and Janet, are both volunteer firefighters in the area.

"I really like doing artwork, so I decided to do paintings for my family and friends," Heather said. "But I only thought I'd make about $50." To her surprise, Heather made $202.53 from the sale of her work. She said she painted whatever subjects her 'clients' wanted. "I did some of the paintings on rocks, too," she said. "And I did a farm sign for my grandparents."

Each fire hall in the City of Kawartha Lakes that requires a defibrillator must raise half the cost of the units, which cost about $5,000 to $5,500 each. The cost of the machines will be split between the Kawartha Lakes Fire Service and the individual stations.